A post on the ManiaPlanet Forums from Nadeo explains they are not planning a retail version of TrackMania 2: Canyon, saying: "There is no box version scheduled right now." A separate post from Nadeo explains that their racing sequel will also not be released through Steam initially, though it may come to Valve's online service at a future time. Explaining that the game's use of the ManiaPlanet portal may be redundant with Steam, they refer to the possibility that users might have to buy a second copy of the game to achieve Steam integration in explaining that they don't envision making a decision on this until sometime next year: "So, if you really want it on Steam, I can suggest to wait of either see a change in their policy, so you can feel secure to buy it outside of it today or to wait to see if we go on it and all I can say to help is that if it happens, it is very likely to be next year." Meanwhile, if you are interested in the game's multiplayer economy, This post explains more of the "planets" that replace the "coppers" from previous TrackMania game, outlining how you can earn and spend them.

To wrap-up this info flood, as noted on the ManiaPlanet Forums, the embargo has been lifted from TrackMania 2: Canyon beta testers, who are now permitted to release opinions about the multiplayer beta test. Testers are also now allowed to post media, as can be seen in this thread, where there are loads of screenshots and YouTube videos of the game in action. Finally, the ManiaNews YouTube Channel now offers no fewer than eight video interviews discussing the game with Nadeo CEO Florent Castelnerac. Thanks TM XASECO developer Frans.

Really? You have a tiny developer like Nadeo, which despite being owned by Ubisoft, still has fewer than 20 people working for them. They've been tremendously successful for the last decade making an incredibly awesome arcade racer that provides more pure freedom for creative expression than most every single other game out there.

They want to expand that idea of pure creative freedom to a variety of games and genres - not just racing, but shooters and RPGs too - taking full advantage of what PC gaming is all about, creating an entire platform for multiple games, millions of user-created levels, with a single unified community all around it.

And you whiners cuss them out because it's not on Steam?

I fucking love Steam, and love what it's done for PC gaming as a whole, but for the love of god, it's not everything. It can't support everything, and in the case of Nadeo's vision for ManiaPlanet, it doesn't even support what they're trying to do.

It's not "just another fucking launcher". Nadeo actually has damn good reasons for doing things this way - they're creating the fucking definition of the creativity and freedom that PC gaming is about.

This times a thousand...

But Valve lackeys are not the end all,be all of PC demogfx.

In fact,...most people I know that game on PC,...never even use steam for anything...they also want a box.

That said,...TM is a great little franchise,..and anything new is aimed at the current users..no biggie.

If rFactor2 does this to keep track and mod makers in line,...and doesn't charge monthly for the privilege...I'd rave about it too.

Valve fans are almost as bad as Apple zealots....walled garden is walled garden.